A Simple Catholic Guide and Information about its Teaching, Prayers and Traditions

WHAT IS NECESSARY to receive Confirmation properly?

To receive Confirmation properly, it is necessary to be in the state of grace, and to know well the chief truths and duties of our religion.

1. For Confirmation, a knowledge of the chief truths and duties of our religion is required. This is why, is a person who is to be confirmed has reached the age of reason, he is examined.

The Apostles’ Creed, the Commandments, the Sacraments and common prayers are the basis of any examination in religion.

2. Confirmation is a sacrament of the living. Therefore when one who has reached the age of reason is to be confirmed, he must first go to confession if burdened with mortal sin, in order to be in a state of grace.

The person to be confirmed should obtain his Confirmation card. He must go to the church properly dressed. He must go early; when many are to be confirmed, the doors are closed before the beginning of the ceremonies, to prevent the entrance of latecomers. The person confirmed must not leave the church before the whole ceremony is finished.

3. Upon approaching the bishop, the person to be confirmed must kneel. Children may stand. The sponsor stands behind, with the right hand on the shoulder of the person to be confirmed. There is only one sponsor, of the same sex as the one confirmed.